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Conservation of the Copper Redhorse

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Moxostoma hubbsi.

Photo: Biodôme de Montréal

The copper redhorse, Moxostoma hubbsi, is a species of fish that only exists in Québec and is in danger of extinction. The critical situation prompted the Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec to develop an artificial reprodution technique, in collaboration with the Biodôme and the Université du Québec à Montréal.

Methods of hormonal induction, egg incubation and raising the young were developed. More specifically, the Biodôme has played an important role in developing a shelter network (genitarium) to conserve the species’ genetic variability. As of 1994, young copper redhorse males crossbred from different parents are kept at the Biodôme, the Québec Aquarium and the Baldwin Mills provincial fish hatchery.